Greater risk of dementia linked to poor fitness

Being out of shape has a negative effect on more than just your physical health. (FredFroese/Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Being out of shape has a negative effect on more than just your physical health.

That's according to a new study from UT Southwestern that found poor fitness levels in people could also lead to dementia. The research team found that the lower a person's overall fitness, the faster vital nerve fibers in the brain deteriorate, resulting in cognitive decline issues like dementia's signature symptom, memory loss.

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"This research supports the hypothesis that improving people's fitness may improve their brain health and slow down the aging process," the study's author, neurologist Kan Ding, told the UT Southwestern Newsroom.

The study, published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, looked at the white matter in the brain — a type of tissue made up of millions of nerve fiber bundles that neurons use to send signals across the brain — of over 600 elderly patients who were at risk of developing Alzheimer's. The volunteers' fitness was determined based on a scientific formula that measured their cardiorespiratory health and their memory was tested through a series of cognitive exercises.

The team found that weaker white matter was prevalent in patients who also displayed low fitness levels.

"Evidence suggests that what is bad for your heart is bad for your brain," researcher Rong Zhang said. "We need studies like this to find out how the two are intertwined and hopefully find the right formula to help prevent Alzheimer's disease."

Many questions remain unanswered, the researchers admitted. The research could not answer what fitness level is needed to help stave off or reduce the risk of Alzheimer's or if improved fitness could reverse the effects once they begin.

"A lot of work remains to better understand and treat dementia," said Ding. "But, eventually, the hope is that our studies will convince people to exercise more."